Pietersen keen to learn from IPL

Kevin Pietersen believes English participation in the Indian Premier League could help improve England's performances in one-day cricket.

Batsman Pietersen was speaking ahead of England's Twenty20 international against the West Indies on Sunday.

"I think the reason why India have gone through the roof is because of the Indian Premier League," said Pietersen.

"After missing out last year, there is no way we can get up there if we don't play," he added.

India have taken the game to a new level because of the IPL

Kevin Pietersen

After Sunday's match and then a five match one-day international series with West Indies, Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah will play in the IPL for three weeks - if they are happy with the event's security arrangements.

And if his security concerns are allayed, Pietersen is eager to learn from the IPL as England seek to achieve some level of consistency in the short forms of the game.

"India are taking one-day cricket to a different level," said the former England captain. "Have you seen the way they are playing in New Zealand? Then compare that to what we did out there last year - India are on a different level.

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